Article support construction



Sept. 20, 1966 P. DUBOFF ARTICLE SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1965 FIG 3 Philip L. DuBoff INVE NTOR BY ATTORNEYS Sept. 20, 1966 P. DUBOFF 3,273,519

ARTICLE SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 29, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG4 Philip L. DuBoff INVENTOR ATTOR N EYS United States Patent 3,273,519 ARTICLE SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION Philip Duboif, Kearny, N.J., assignor to Shelfmaker Products Corp, Kearny, NJ, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Jan. 29, 1965, Ser. No. 429,065 3 Claims. (Cl. 108-105) This is a continution-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 370,878, filed May 28, 1964.

This invention relates to article support means coupled with household utility poles, i.e., poles of the type which are commonly used for room dividers, planters, towel racks, shelf supports and the like.

The present invention relates to an article support construction which is advantageously combined with a vertically adjustable utility pole construction. In this manner, the height of the article supports can be selectively adjusted. Moreover, the present invention provides a construction wherein the article support can be selectively rotated to thereby permit removal of a selected article or articles.

While article support constructions of this general type have been known in the prior art, these prior art constructions did not have the desired degree of versatility. This is, if such article supports were combined with an upstanding pole unit, such pole unit generally had to be supported at both its upper and lower ends and thus could not stand freely as can the present invention. Also, such prior art pole units generally did not provide for rotation of the article supports themselves, or if they did, then the article supports rotated separately from the pole units to which such article supports were attached. In contrast, the present invention provides for a pole unit wherein a pole section can have article support means attached thereto, and wherein such pole unit and article support means can be selectively rotated in unison. This provides a much stronger and more satisfactory construction. Finally, prior art forms of devices generally did not permit any vertical adjustments in the height of the article supports themselves, once the same were attached in place along the pole unit. In contrast, the present invention allows the article supports to be spaced at any height above the floor merely through a vertical adjustment of the supporting pole units themselves, and without the need for separately repositioning the individual article support means.

With the foregoing in mind, it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings and deficiencies associated with prior art devices of this type and to provide in their stead, a new and improved article support construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an article support construction formed as a combination of article support means in conjunction with utility pole sections.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an article support construction wherein the article supporting means can be selectively vertically adjusted in height without the need for repositioning such means along their supporting pole sections.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an article support construction mounted upon telescoping 3,2 73,5 19 Patented Sept. 20, 1966 pole sections, and wherein such pole sections can rotate freely with respect to one another, thereby enabling the article support means to be selectively rotated to any desired position.

Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment hereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an article support construction in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and having various article support means thereupon;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the base of the construction shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view through the construction of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3, and showing a plan view of one form of article supporting shelf assembly utilized in connection with the construction;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of article support construction having rotatable airms thereon; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view through the construction of FIGURE 5 showing the engaging relationship between the telescoping pole sections, the rotatable arms, and the adjustment and support collar associated therewith.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be noted that the present invention includes a pair of pole sections 10 and 12, the section 12 being telescopically en-gageable in overlying relationship with the pole section 10. Each of these pole sections is of substantial uniform diameter throughout, and as such, is an elongated cylindrical pipe or tube.

The pole sections 10 and 12 are coupled together by an adjustment and support collar generally designated 54, as can best be seen in FIGURE 3. The collar means 54 includes a body 56 having a bore 58 therethrough dimensioned to axially receive the pole section 10. The body 56 has a transverse threaded aperture 60 extending from its periphery through the bore 58. A set screw 62 is threaded into the aperture 60 and is engageable with the interior of the pole section 10 to lock the collar means 54 in place thereon at any selected location along the length of the pole section 10.

As can best be seen in FIGURE 3, the body 56 of the collar means 54 includes a flat top edge surface 64 and a small circular fiat ring surface 66 disposed inwardly of the top surface but still coaxial with the bore 58. A continuous outwardly tapering portion 68 extends from the flat surface 66 to the top edge surf-ace 64.

The lower end edge of the pole section 12 is preferably sized to seat upon the surface 66 of the collar means 54, so that such collar means supports the entire pole section 12 and the article support means thereon. However, with manufacturing tolerances for structures of this type being none too critical, it is recognized that the diametr al size of any two pole sections 12 might not be identical. Yet, because of the tapering surface 68, the collar means 54 enables the pole sections to be telescoped in the desired manner since even if the lower end edge of the pole section 12 is too large to seat upon the surface 66, it will at least seat somewhere along the tapering surface 68. Also, since the body 56 is fabricated of nylon, Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) or some other suitable partially resilient plastic material, there can be a slight outward deformation of the body 56 when the lower end of the pole section is inserted therein.

Referring now more generally to the drawings and the invention shown therein, reference to FIGURE 1 will show that an article support construction or pole means generally designated 70 is provided, with such pole means having a supporting base generally designated 72 and article support means generally designated 74, in the form of back-to-back shelves. The pole means 70 has -a rotatable portion, formed in a manner to be presently described, which enables the shelves 74 to be turned to any desired position. As illustrated, the shelves 74 can support such articles as books 76, plants 78, appliances such as a toaster 80, records 82, or other similar items.

When an enlarged supporting base like the base 72 is used, it is not necessary for the pole means to span between two spaced supporting surfaces, such as a floor and ceiling, but instead, it can stand upright upon any desired flat surface. As shown in FIGURE 2, the supporting base includes a heavy weighted bottom member 84 having a central portion 86, a peripheral rim 88 and spokes or ribs 90 extending therebetween. Short feet 92 are provided in spaced disposition upon the bottom of the rim 88. A central aperture 94 is formed in the central portion 86. It will be noted that the ribs 90 extend inwardly and upwardly from the rim 88, thus assuring that the central portion 86 is elevated somewhat above the rim and is thus spaced some distance above the floor or supporting surface on which the feet 92 rest. For decorative purposes, a cover 96 having a peripheral skirt 98 can be provided to overlie the bottom member 84. The skirt 98 surrounds the outer edge of the peripheral rim 88. A central aperture 100 is formed in the cover 96, with such central aperture being coaxial with the aperture 94 when the cover 96 is placed over the bottom member 84.

As to the structure of the pole means 70, reference is made to FIGURE 3 wherein it will be seen that the pole is formed of respective inner and outer telescoping pole sections and 12, identical to those previously described. A collar means 54, slidable along the section 10, is used to support the section 12 in the manner previously described. Within the bottom end portion 26 of the pole section 10, a nut member 102 is provided, recessed slightly inward from the end of the section, to leave a small end margin 104 between the bottom of the nut and the end of the pole section. The length of the margin 104 is quite small, being only approximately one-sixteenth inch. That portion of the pole 10 section which surrounds the nut 102 is peened or swaged inwardly at selected spaced locations 106, thus assuring that the nut remains locked in position. The nut has a threaded central aperture 108, coaxial with the apertures 94 and 100 when the parts are assembled in the manner shown in FIGURE 8. A stud 110 passes through the apertures 94 and 100 and threads into the nut aperture 108. Another nut 112 is attached to the other end of the stud 110 to thus lock the pole means and supporting base together.

When the parts have been assembled in the manner shown in FIGURE 3, the pole section 10 can be manually rotated, thus threading the stud 110 further into the nut aperture 108. The result of such pole rotation, while the base 72 remains stationary, is that the pole is drawn closer to the base. The force of such relative rotation causes the margin 104 to flare or flute outwardly, as shown, thus providing additional stability for the upstanding pole means.

As aforementioned, the nylon or other plastic material of the collar means enables the steel pole section 12 seated therein, to be freely rotated. Also as aforementioned, the shelf means 74 can be secured to the pole section 12 to enable them to rotate in unison therewith. The exact construction of the shelf means 74 is not critical to the present invention, nor is their manner of attachment, so long as the shelves remain disposed in back-to-back relation. An exemplary shelf form is illustrated in FIGURE 4 wherein two shelves 114, 116 are formed of a ribbed construction. The innermost ribs 114', 116 are disposed on opposite sides of the pole section 12. Then, nuts and bolts 118 are passed therethrough, as shown, and are tightened, thus pulling the shelves 114, 116, toward one another, and thus partially deforming the innermost ribs 114', 116 until they conform generally to and press against the outer surface of the pole section 12. As is apparent, the shelf means 74 can be placed at any desired height along the pole section 12. If desired, for decorative purposes, an end cap 120 can be inserted in the open upper end of the pole section 12.

Referring now to the modification shown in FIGURE 5 and in FIGURE 6, it will be seen that the telescoping relationship of the pole sections 10 and 12 can be reversed to provide a lower pole section 10 which is of a larger diameter and an upper pole section 12' of smaller diameter and telescoped within the pole section 10. The pole sections 10' and 12' are still assembled by the collar means 54, but as shown in FIGURE 11, the collar means is inverted and is attached to the section 12' rather than the section 10. Thus, in this embodiment, the collar means 54 rotates along with the rotatable pole section 12, while the pole section 10' remains stationary and supported by the base 72.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 5 and 6, the article support means is a plurality of spaced arms 122, adapted to hold towels and washclothes 124, and other similar items. The inner ends of the arms 122 are threaded as shown at 126, and are adapted to screw into threaded apertures 128 spaced circumferentially of rings 130. Normally, the rings can slide freely along the length of the pole section 12', but when the arms are tightened into their apertures 128, the inner ends of the arms press against the pole section 12' to lock the rings 130 at any desired height. For decorative purposes, the pole section 12', or any other pole section, may be exteriorly decorated, as with helical fluting 132. Also, the upper end cap 120 may be used at the open upper end of the pole section 12'.

After reading the foregoing detailed description, it should be apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

1. An article support construction comprising:

a supporting base;

a first elongated pole;

attaching means coupling said first elongated pole to said supporting base to maintain said first pole in vertical upstanding disposition;

a second elongated pole in nested telescoping relation with said first pole and extending above said first pole;

collar means slidable along one of said poles and lockable in any desired location therealong;

said collar means being engageable with an end of one said poles to adjust the height at which said second pole is extended above said first pole;

said second pole being rotatable relative to said first pole and having its uppermost end free from engagement with any supporting surface; and

article support means secured to said second pole and rotatable therewith;

said attaching means including a nut secured within the lower portion of said first pole and a screw means threadably engaged with said nut and projecting therefrom beyond the lower end of said first pole; said nut being spaced inwardly a short distance from the lower end of said first pole to thus define a bottom margin between the lower surface of said nut and the lower end of said first pole; said bottom margin being flared outwardly; said supporting base having aperture means therein for reception of said projecting screw means; said screw means being tightened after insertion through said aperture means to thus engage said first pole lower end with the top of said supporting base, said bottom margin flaring outwardly to assure a firm and stable coupling between said first pole and said supporting base. 2. An article support construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said article support means includes at least two shelves disposed on opposite sides of said second pole and securing means engaging said shelves together in back-toback relation with the edges of said shelves engaging the exterior of said second pole.

3. An article support construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said article support means includes at least one ring surrounding said second pole, at least one threaded aperture in said ring and an arm having a threaded end screwed into said threaded aperture, said arm being rotatable to engage said threaded end with the exterior of said second pole to thereby lock said ring at a desired location along the length of said second pole.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 520,430 5/1894 Hoggson 248-158 899,349 9/1908 Steiber 52---726 1,460,928 7/1923 Tilden 211182 1,765,651 6/1930 Bryant 287-20.3 2,335,773 11/ 1943 Lagerblade 52-726 2,361,060 10/ 1944 Robinson 248-15 8 2,623,513 9/1950 Oliver 248-158 2,584,015 1/1952 Hawes 248--354 2,841,634 7/1958 Kimball 18926 X 2,980,261 4/1961 Young 108-139 3,000,512 9/1961 Maynor 108-151 3,139,189 6/1964 Kolarik 108103 3,169,496 2/1965 Muggli et a1. 108101 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. F. K. ZUGEL, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ARTICLE SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING: A SUPPORTING BASE; A FIRST ELONGATED POLE; ATTACHING MEANS COUPLED SAID FIRST ELONGATED POLE TO SAID SUPPORTING BASE TO MAINTAIN SAID FIRST POLE IN VERTICAL UPSTANDING DISPOSITION; A SECOND ELONGATED POLE IN NESTED TELESCOPING RELATION WITH SAID FIRST POLE AND EXTENDING ABOVE SAID FIRST POLE; COLLAR MEANS SLIDABLE ALONG ONE OF SAID POLES AND LOCKABLE IN ANY DESIRED LOCATION THERRALONG; SAID COLLAR MEANS BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH AN END OF ONE SAID POLES TO ADJUST THE HEIGHT AT WHICH SAID SECOND POLE IS EXTENDED ABOVE SAID FIRST POLE; SAID SECOND POLE BEING ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST POLE AND HAVING ITS UPPERMOST END FREE FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH ANY SUPPORTING SURFACE; AND ARTICLE SUPPORT MEANS SECURED TO SAID SECOND POLE AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH; SAID ATTACHING MEANS INCLUDING A NUT SECURED WITHIN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID FIRST POLE AND A SCREW MEANS THREADABLY ENGAGED WITH SAID NUT AND PROJECTING THEREFROM BEYOND THE LOWER END OF SAID FIRST POLE; SAID NUT BEING SPACED INWARDLY A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE LOWER END OF SAID FIRST POLE TO THUS DEFINE A BOTTOM MARGIN BETWEEN THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID NUT AND THE LOWER END OF SAID FIRST POLE; SAID BOTTOM MARGIN BEING FLARED OUTWARDLY; SAID SUPPORTING BASE HAVING APERTURE MEANS THEREIN FOR RECEPTION OF SAID PROJECTING SCREW MEANS; SAID SCREW MEANS BEING TIGHTNED AFTER INSERTION THROUGH SAID APERTURE MEANS TO THUS ENGAGE SAID FIRST POLE LOWER END WITH THE TOP OF SAID SUPPORTING BASE, SAID BOTTOM MARGIN FLARING OUTWARDLY TO ASSURE A FIRM AND STABLE COUPLING BETWEEN SAID FIRST POLE AND SAID SUPPORTING BASE. 